Robots got feels, concrete floated, GE brought us the world’s largest laser 3D printer, and we mended a few broken hearts — all this week in 3D printing.
Reach Out and Touch Bots
RedBull Technology brought us the story of researchers at the University of Minnesota who are creating bionic skin that will allow robots to have tactile feedback while doing the things they do, like surgeries, walking around, and, one day, holding your hand. Don’t worry, this tech isn’t just for bots. In the future, it could also be used to print sensors on human skin that could monitor health indicators, or protect soldiers from dangerous explosives.
Concrete Ideas
Concrete might not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to boating. But, a canoe-racing competition in Cologne, Germany might make you rethink that. Designboom covered the event and its winner skelETHon, whose steel-reinforced concrete skeleton surrounded by a waterproof concrete skin took first prize. While the boat wasn’t fully 3D printed, its concrete skeleton could not exist without the flexibility offered by digital fabrication.
We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Factory
Printing a metal object 1 meter (3.3 ft.) across sounds a bit like a dream come true, and who better to make that happen than good old General Electric, the company that aims to keep on powering modernity (continuing the tradition of co-founder Thomas Edison)? According to GE, “This is an engineer’s dream!” But really, they mean, “This is anyone who knows anything about 3D printing’s dream.” Learn more about the technology below:
Broken Hearts Club
Usually, mending the damage caused by a heart attack means hoping to get a new heart. But, miracle of miracles of 3D printing, a new 3D printed patch that utilizes stem cells could help humans repair damaged sections of the heart. As Newsweek reported, right now, it’s only done so for mice and pigs, but one day not too long from now, this treatment could be used on broken hearts of all sizes.